<article><p class="lead">Japan's domestic car production rebounded firmly in June from May's low, supported by recovering domestic sales of new passenger vehicles.</p><p>Domestic output totalled a preliminary 490,877 units in June, down by 36pc from a year earlier, according to data provided today by Japan's eight manufacturers. But the June output sharply recovered from 287,502 units in May and was higher from 412,587 units in April.</p><p>Japan's eight auto producers are Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, Honda, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu and Subaru.</p><p>Japan's largest producer Toyota saw domestic car output drop by 45pc from a year earlier to 159,907 units in June. Output in June fell for a ninth consecutive month compared with year earlier levels. But the June output recovered by 30pc from May.</p><p>Toyota said its global car output rebound in June, aided by a sharp increase in Chinese output, as well as recovering output in North America and Europe. Its global car output hit 588,816 units in June, down by 24pc on the previous year but up by 61pc from May.</p><p>The company plans to further restore domestic car output in August after its <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2116481">July production recovered</a> to 90pc of its original target for the month.</p><p>Japanese output is gradually recovering on the back of firm new car sales in the domestic market following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. The country's new passenger car sales still fell by 27pc from a year earlier but were 47pc higher from May at 182,128 units in June, according to industry group the Japan automobile dealers association.</p><p class="bylines">By Rieko Suda</p><p><table class='tbl-excel'><tr><td class='tbl-header' colspan='3'>Japan car production</td><td class='tbl-header tbl-right tbl-italic'></td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-columnheader tbl-bold tbl-left'></td><td class='tbl-columnheader tbl-bold tbl-center'>Jun &#39;20</td><td class='tbl-columnheader tbl-bold tbl-right'>Jun &#39;19</td><td class='tbl-columnheader tbl-bold tbl-right'>&#177; %</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-rowspace'></td><td class='tbl-rowspace'></td><td class='tbl-rowspace'></td><td class='tbl-rowspace'></td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Toyota</td><td class='tbl-right'>159,907</td><td class='tbl-right'>289,544</td><td class='tbl-right'>-44.8</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Daihatsu</td><td class='tbl-right'>69,434</td><td class='tbl-right'>73,457</td><td class='tbl-right'>-5.5</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Mazda</td><td class='tbl-right'>34,181</td><td class='tbl-right'>84,289</td><td class='tbl-right'>-59.4</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Subaru</td><td class='tbl-right'>29,881</td><td class='tbl-right'>55,616</td><td class='tbl-right'>-46.3</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Honda</td><td class='tbl-right'>64,662</td><td class='tbl-right'>78,355</td><td class='tbl-right'>-17.5</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Suzuki</td><td class='tbl-right'>83,173</td><td class='tbl-right'>72,165</td><td class='tbl-right'>15.3</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Mitsubishi</td><td class='tbl-right'>24,675</td><td class='tbl-right'>54,392</td><td class='tbl-right'>-54.6</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Nissan</td><td class='tbl-right'>24,964</td><td class='tbl-right'>63,658</td><td class='tbl-right'>-60.8</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-left'>Total</td><td class='tbl-right'>490,877</td><td class='tbl-right'>771,476</td><td class='tbl-right'>-36.4</td></tr><tr><td class='tbl-footer tbl-right tbl-italic' colspan='4'>Source: Japan auto producers</td></tr></table></p></article>